Peristalitic diaphragm pump structure

ABSTRACT

A peristaltic diaphragm pump having a non-linear or eccentric shaft and a piston having integral therewith a diaphragm acting upon a pump chamber wherein the improvement consists of an arcuate flange imbedded within said diaphragm and having a portion thereof received within an accommodating slot of said piston for positive recovery of said diaphragm and a centering rod carried by said piston in connection with said diaphragm permitting free movement of said piston and said diaphragm and inhibiting the tendency of rotary movement of the piston relative to said diaphragm.

United States Patent Rosenquist 1 Nov. 25. 1975 i541 PERISTALITIC DIAPHRAGIW PUMP 3.91 L758 lZ/l96l McFarland .7 9N9) X STRUCTURE 1462.073 8/!969 Russell 417N411 x 3.669.578 6/1972 Namcny 418/45 [75] Inventor: Roger K. Rosenquist. Chaska. Minn. 1720439 3;]973 Rap I i i i i i v v V v V W g [73] Assigned. AinRose Corporation, Chaska FOREIGN PATENTS ()R APPLKATIONS 451x07 mum omit-t1 Kingdom, ,JIJMN [221 Filed. June 14, 1973 {:1 1 pp NU 369 808 Primary lirunzincr-C .lr Htlsttl' Assistant Examine/' Richard ii, (Huck Related U.S. Application Data Armrney. Agenn or Firm Donald R. Sjostrom I63] ('ontintiittion oi' Scrv No. I9() 75Z, Oct. 20 197i.

ahandoned, ABSTRAcT {52 5 CL v g g 4 y V V 1 45; n 418/49 A peristaltic diaphragm pump having a non-lincar or 51' In Cl'i FOIC 5/00; F03C 3/00; F04C 5/00; eccentric shaft and a piston having integral therewith FOL: 17/00 a diaphragm acting upon a pump chamber wherein the {58] dd 0 Search H 4l7/474 476, 412 413' improvement consists of an arcuate flange imheddcd 417/299v 2 4|8/45 49 5O' 0; 92 within said diaphragm and having a portion thereof received within an accommodating slot of said piston [56] References cu for positive recovery of said diaphragm and a center- INTED QTATES PATENTS ing rod carried by said piston in connection with said k diaphragm permitting free movement of said piston (L8H 1887 Snmh 418/5 and said diaphragm and inhibiting the tendcncv of ro- 11491406 NW4] Bogoslowsky HS/45 tar, movamem of thC flqnn ppm, [0 ga'id dib 1675.758 4/1954 Hughes d. 417/347 i 175mm "H1956 0mm 4. uv/474 phrdgm' 1871653 EH95) Mas nik et a1. r r r M 74/60 9 Claims 7 Drawing Figures 2,9l8JH2 11/[959 Lucien r r r r r r r i i. 417/270 U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,922,119

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US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 3 of 3 3,922,119

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PERISTALITIC DIAPHRAGM PUMP STRUCTURE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of US. application Ser. No. 190,752, filed Oct. 20, 1971, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a peristaltic diaphragm pump structure of a type wherein a piston acts upon a diaphragm in a continuous wave like motion which is commonly referred to as a wabble motion and such a structure is frequently referred to as a wabble pump and will hereinafter be referred to as such. There are many variations in pumps to cause the movement of fluid through a chamber by the wabble motion of a piston. In the embodiment of the invention described herein, reference is had to a diaphragm overlying a pump chamber and being acted upon by the wabble movement of a piston.

One disadvantage generally present in wabble pumps results from the absence of means to effect a positive recovery action of the diaphragm with respect to the cooperative action between the piston and the diaphragm it acts upon. Another disadvantage with respect to wabble pumps generally is present in the strain and abrasion which generally developes between the diaphragm and the piston operatively associated therewith.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a wabble pump structure having means connecting the piston and the diaphragm into integral operative association.

It is another object of this invention to provide a wabble pump structure including means to lock the piston and the diaphragm thereof into operative engagement permitting a full wabble action of the piston with respect to the diaphragm but avoiding any strain or abrasive effect by preventing any tendency of relative rotary movement therebetween.

It is more specifically an object of this invention as described herein to provide a wabble pump structure comprising a pump chamber forming a circular groove having a pair of closely separated ends respectively housing an inlet port and an outlet port adjacent thereto, a diaphragm overlying said pump chamber, a piston engaging said diaphragm and being integral therewith, a non-linear shaft concentric with said piston and said pump chamber and operatively associated with said piston to actuate the same and a connecting member operatively associating said piston and said diaphragm to permit free wabble movement thereof but preventing any tendency for relative circular motion therebetween.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view with a portion thereof in cross section and portions shown in dotted line;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation with portions thereof being broken away and some portions thereof being shown in dotted line;

FIG. 3 is a view on an enlarged scale in vertical cross section taken on line 33 of FIG. 1 as indicated;

FIG. 4 is a view on an enlarged scale in vertical cross section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. I as indicated;

FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section taken on line 55 of FIG. 4 as indicated;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view in vertical section of portions of the apparatus herein; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view in perspective of specific portions of the apparatus herein.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings the embodiment of the peristaltic diaphragm pump structure herein described will be referred to as a wabble pump and is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

Said pump structure 10 comprises a housing, II], which includes a rectangular base plate member 14, a rectangular top plate member 16, and disposed therebetween forming the outer side wall of said housing is a cylindrical frame member 18. Said frame member forms therein the chamber 19 between said base and top plate members. Securing said housing are stud bolts 20 extending between the corner portions of said top and base plate members.

Said base plate member has a central upstanding cylindrical collar 23 having a bore 25 disposed vertically therethrough with said bore having a lower couter bore portion 26 extending through the bottom of said base plate member.

The base and top plate members may be formed of suitable plastic material. Formed on the upper surface portion of said base plate member is a raised circular plate portion 27 having its edge portion forming an annular rim 28. In like manner an annular rim 29 is formed on the lower surface portion of the top plate member 16. Said frame member 18 has its end portions disposed about said rim portions 28 and 29.

Formed into said raised circular portion 27 about said collar 23 and spaced therefrom is a cavity 30 in the form of a groove arcuate in cross section and generally circular in form being concentric with said bore 25 and having closely separated end portions 32 and 33 forming a narrow groove therebetween to be hereinafter described. Said cavity 30 forms a pump chamber.

Extending through said base member respectively adjacent said groove end portions 32 and 33 are inlet port 38 and outlet port 39 and shown extending respectively outwardly thereof are conduits 41 and 42.

With particular reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, an endless open top groove 45 is formed about the perimeter of said pump chamber comprising an outer loop groove portion 46 and an inner loop groove portion 47 and said two portions merge to a single groove portion 48 between said adjacent end portions 32 and 33 of said pump chamber as shown in FIG. 7.

Overlying said pump chamber is a diaphragm having a peripheral configuration in plan corresponding to the form in plan of said groove 45 and a central core or opening 56 is formed to receive said collar 23 therethrough. Said diaphragm has a resilient body portion 57 having a peripheral flange 58 at right angles to said body portion having portions extending thereabove and therebelow. Said flange corresponds in plan to and is adapted to have its lower portion seated into said groove 46. An upstanding flange surrounds said core 56 and connecting said flange and the flange 58 is a single flange portion 59 which corresponds to and is adapted to be seated into said single groove portion 48.

Upstanding from the body portion 57 of said diaphragm medially thereof is an inverted T-member 61 having an upstanding flange portion 62 and a base portion 63. Said base portion is imbeddcd into the body portion of said diaphragm and the material of said dia phragm is here indicated as being formed along the sides of said flange whereby said member 61 is integral with said diaphragm. Said flange 62 is tapped as at 65 to receive stud bolts.

Adapted to overlie and be seated onto said diaphragm S is a plate-like retaining member 70. Said member 70 is shown having an outer ring-like circular portion 71 and an inner ring-like circular portion 73 with a neck-like connecting portion 75 therebctween. As indicated in FIG. 6 and elsewhere in the Figs, said member 70 has a continuous groove 72 in its under surface which is not fully shown but which corresponds to the groove 45 and is adapted to be seated onto and re ceive therein said flanges S8, 59 and 60. The outer rim portion 74 of said member 70 has a greater depth than the inner rim portion 76 thereof as indicated in several of the Figs. to accommodate the vertical cross sectional form of said diaphragm.

As indicated in FIG. 3, with the member 70 seated onto said diaphragm, the same is held in position by having its outer rim portion 74 seated into an internal annular groove 77 formed at the lower end portion of said member 18.

Said upper base plate member 16 has a bore 78 centrally therethrough axially aligned with said bore 25. Disposed through said bores 78 and 25 is a shaft 80 having an eccentric portion 81 thereof disposed within said chamber 19. Shown as a conventional driving means for said shaft is a pulley 83 which will be con nected to a source of power by appropriate means.

The upper portion of said shaft is journaled in a conventional bearing member 85 seated in said upper plate member 16 and shown here secured by a snap ring 86. The lower portion of said shaft is journaled in a conventional bearing member 88 seated within said counter bore 26 and is held in position by a snap ring 89.

The lower extended portion 82 of said shaft 80 is threaded to receive lock nuts 90.

Carried on the eccentric or non-linear portion of said shaft is a piston 93 which in the embodiment of the invention here described is referred to as a wabble head.

Said wabble head has a cylindrical central body portion 95 having a central bore 96 which carries seated therein a conventional bearing 98 and which is secured therein by a snap ring 99. The eccentric portion 81 of said shaft 80 is journaled within said bearing 98. An eccentric or cam collar is formed above said eccentric shaft portion integral therewith and forms an annulus thereabout. Said collar 101 in operation will ride or rotate on said bearing 98 to actuate or tilt said wabble head.

Formed about said central portion 95 and depending outwardly therefrom is a head portion 103 circular in plan and having a lower portion 105 arcuate in cross section having its bottom portion correspond to the cross section configuration of said pump chamber 30 to be accommodated therein. Said portion 105 will overlie said diaphragm 55 and will have a vertical recess formed therein though not here shown to accommodate and ride over said neck portion 75 of said retainer member 70 in its wabble movement as will be described. Said bottom portion l0S has an open ended slot 107 centrally thereof to receive said flange 62 and 4 boits 108 through accommodating apertures in said wabble head secure said flange within said slot 107 to secure together said wabble head and said diaphragm 55.

Said central portion of said wabble head as here illustrated has a step portion 112 projecting therefrom which is here indicated as being substantially in vertical operative alignment with the neck portion 75 of said retaining member 70. Secured to said step portion 112 by a stud bolt 113 is an angled bracket 115 having a bi furcatcd free end portion into which is disposed the upper portion of a centering rod 117 which is secured therein by a horizontally disposed pin 119. Said pin is disposed to have its axis tangential to the axis of said bore 25. In vertical alignment with said rod 117 are aperture 121 formed through said retaining member 70 and a correspondingly aligned aperture 122 formed within said base member 14 as shown in FIG. 6. Said retaining member 70 has an annular groove 125 formed therein underlying said aperture 121 to receive a bearing retaining ring 127 which is seated on said base member 14 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 and the same is locked in position between the said retaining member and said base member as shown. Carried in said bearing retaining member 127 is a spherical bearing 129 having a diametrical passage therethrough to receive and retain in operating position the depending portion of said centering rod 117.

It will be understood that the wabble head may be mounted for wabble motion in other ways and that means other than said centering rod 117 may be utilized to prevent the tendency for relative rotary motion between the wabble head and the diaphragm. Without the use of the centering rod 117 or structure to serve a like purpose, the wabble motion of the piston at the beginning and end of a stroke places a strain on the end portions of the flange 61 and there is likely to result a rupture between said flange and the diaphragm. The centering rod inhibits the tendency for said strain and renders it negligible.

OPERATION In operation, fluid will be introduced into the pump chamber 30 through the inlet port 38 and will be expelled from said pump chamber through the outlet port 39.

The wabble head or piston 93 is actuated through its rocking or wabble motion by means of the cam collar 101 acting or riding upon the bearing member 98 which is seated within the upper portion of said wabble head as illustrated and wabbles integrally therewith. Said cam collar 101 rotates freely upon the upper surface portion of said bearing member.

In being driven through its wabble motion, said wabble head 93 operates integrally with the diaphragm 55 by reason of the flange member 61 of the diaphragm being received within the slot 107 of the wabble head to secure the same. There is a positive recovery of the diaphragm made possible by this structure with the resulting advantage of having the diaphragm lifted or raised out of the pump chamber to the full extent that the wabble head is raised therefrom. Thus there results a longer, more positive and more effective stroke or pump action on the part of the diaphragm in being moved into and out of the pump chamber to expell the fluid therein. By the same reasoning. the diaphragm in being raised to the full extent of elevation of the wabble head provides a greater capacity in the pump chamber to receive fluid from the inlet port than would other wise be available.

The integral operative relationship between the wabble head and the diaphragm avoids any abrasive action which would otherwise appear to be present and which has a tendency to take place as in the case where the wabble head rides freely over the diaphragm.

Although the wabble action does not result in rotation of the wabble head, the tilting action of the wabble head has a tendency toward the exertion of relative rotation with respect to the diaphragm. Thus there would be a tendency to place a strain particularly on the end portions of the flange 61 adjacent the ports 38 and 39. To prevent or to inhibit this tendency of relative motion between the wabble head and the diaphragm. the centering rod 117 is provided disposed diametrically through a spherical bearing 129 held locked between the base member 14 and retaining member 71 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Said spherical bearing permits com plete motion of the centering rod 117 about the center point of said bearing to permit free wabble movement of the wabble head but does not permit any movement of the centering rod in a direction tangential to the axis of the bore 25 at said center point and thus does not permit any relative rotative or circular movement as between said wabble head and said diaphragm. Said wabble head and said diaphragm are locked together free from any relative movement and there results a unitary tilting wabble movement produced by the rotation of the shaft 80.

The structure described herein represents substantial improvement in the operative association between a wabble head and a diaphragm with respect to a structure such as herein disclosed.

The wabble head and diaphragm may be integrally related other than as shown in the embodiment herein such as by being unitarily molded and the wabble head may be anchored against relative rotary movement other than as shown here.

ln actual operation the positive recovery resulting from the integral operative association between the wabble head and the diaphragm has resulted in a substantial increase in the efficiency of the structure which would not otherwise be present.

Although the structure herein has been described as a pump, the structure may be subjected to a reverse action wherein it may be utilized as a motor.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention herein which, generally stated, consists in an apparatus capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a base member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port,

a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber,

a piston comprising a wabble head in operative en gagement with said diaphragm,

a non-linear shaft operating said wabble head,

means driving said shaft,

means extending through said wabble head removably securing said diaphragm to said wabble head,

a passage extending vertically through a rim portion of said wabble head,

a rod having its upper end portion disposed in said passage,

means pivotly securing said rod in said passage for swinging movement of said rod toward and away from said shaft of said wabble head.

a spherical ball carried in said base member underlying said passage, said ball having a diametrical pas sage therethrough and said rod having its lower end portion disposed through said passage of said ball.

whereby said rod accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm.

A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port,

a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber,

a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm,

a driving means for driving said wabble head, in a wabble motion, said driving means including a non linear shaft,

a rod member,

a first connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said wabble head,

a second connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said housing member and in spaced relation with the connection of said rod member and said wabble head,

at least one of said first and second connecting means including means rendering said rod member mov able with respect to said one of said connecting means, generally along a line through the connection between said rod member and said wabble head and the connection between said rod member and said housing member, and

one of said connecting means including means pivot ally mounting said rod member for swinging movement toward and away from said non-linear shaft and restraining said rod member from sidewise movement generally normal to the aforesaid swinging movement,

whereby said rod member accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the other of said connecting means includes a spherical ball having a generally diametrical passage therethrough,

said rod member disposed in said passage and longitudinally slidable therein, and

means cooperable with said spherical ball to provide a ball and socket connection,

A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port,

a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber,

a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm,

a driving means for driving said wabble head, in a wabble motion,

a rod member,

a first connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said wabble head,

a second connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said housing member and in spaced relation with the connection of said rod member and said wabble head,

one of said connecting means including a ball and socket connection,

the ball portion thereof having a diametrical passage therethrough, and

said rod member is disposed in said passage and is longitudinally slidable therein whereby said rod member accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm.

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein said one of said connecting means connects said rod member to said wabble head, and

said other of said connecting means connects said rod member to said housing member.

6. A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port,

a diaphragm means extending across said pump chamber,

a piston means in operative engagement with said diaphragm means.

a nonlinear shaft rotatable about an axis and operably connected to said piston means for operating said piston means in a motion to progressively compress and relieve said diaphragm means to effect a pumping action between said inlet and outlet ports,

a rigid connecting member,

a first connecting means connecting said rigid con necting member to said piston means,

a second connecting means connecting said rigid connecting member to said housing member and in spaced relation with the connection between said rigid connecting member and said piston means,

at least one of said first and second connecting means providing a pivotal connection between said rigid connecting member and the member to which it is connected,

at least one of said first and second connecting means including means rendering said rigid connecting member movable with respect thereto, generally along a line through the connections of said piston means and of said housing member to said rigid connecting member,

one of said connecting means including a pivotal connection rendering said rigid connecting member swingable thereabout generally toward and away from said axis and precluding transverse swinging movement thereof, and

the other of said connecting means including a ball and socket pivotal connection,

whereby said rod accommodates the pumping action of said piston means and inhibits said piston means against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm means.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein said ball and socket connection includes a generally spherical ball,

said ball having a generally diametrical passage therethrough,

said rigid connecting member comprises a rod member and said rod member is disposed in said passage and is slidable therein generally along a line through said two pivotal connections.

A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port,

a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber,

a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm,

a non-linear shaft operatively connected with said wabble head for driving said wabble head in a wabble motion,

said diaphragm having an upstanding flange medially thereof extending substantially throughout the length thereof,

a relatively rigid, generally annular, insert member imbedded in said diaphragm, said insert member having a base portion disposed in the diaphragm itself and an upstanding portion thereof extending into said upstanding flange,

said wabble head having an open bottom slot medially thereof corresponding coextensive with said flange and having said flange disposed therein,

means extending through said wabble head engaging and securing said flange therein,

a rod member,

a first connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said wabble head,

a second connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said housing member and in spaced relation with the connection of said rod member and said wabble head, and

at least one of said first and second connecting means including means rendering said rod member mov' able with respect to said one of said connecting means, generally along a line through the connection between said rod member and said wabble head and the connection between said rod member and said housing member,

whereby said rod member accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm.

A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port,

a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber,

a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm.

a non-linear shaft operatively connected with said wabble head for driving said wabble head in a wabble motion,

said diaphragm having an upstanding flange medially thereof extending substantially throughout the length thereof,

a relatively rigid, generally annular, insert member inbedded in said diaphragm, said insert member having a base portion disposed in the diaphragm itself and an upstanding portion thereof extending into said upstanding portion thereof extending into said upstanding flange,

means pivotly securing said rod in said passage for swinging movement of said rod toward and away from said shaft of said wabblc head. and

a spherical ball carried on said housing member. said ball having a diametrical passage therethrough and said rod having its lower end portion disposed through said passage of said ball.

whereby said rod accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm. 

1. A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a base member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port, a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber, a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm, a non-linear shaft operating said wabble head, means driving said shaft, means extending through said wabble head removably securing said diaphragm to said wabble head, a passage extending vertically through a rim portion of said wabble head, a rod having its upper end portion disposed in said passage, means pivotly securing said rod in said passage for swinging movement of said rod toward and away from said shaft of said wabble head, a spherical ball carried in said base member underlying said passage, said ball having a diametrical passage therethrough and said rod having its lower end portion disposed through said passage of said ball, whereby said rod accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm.
 2. A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port, a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber, a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm, a driving means for driving said wabble head, in a wabble motion, said driving means including a nonlinear shaft, a rod member, a first connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said wabble head, a second connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said housing member and in spaced relation with the connection of said rod member and said wabble head, at least one of said first and second connecting means including means rendering said rod member movable with respect to said one of said connecting means, generally along a line through the connection between said rod member and said wabble head and the connection between said rod member and said housing member, and one of said connecting means including means pivotally mounting said rod member for swinging movement toward and away from said non-linear shaft and restraining said rod member from sidewise movement generally normal to the aforesaid swinging movement, whereby said rod member accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relatIve to said diaphragm.
 3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the other of said connecting means includes a spherical ball having a generally diametrical passage therethrough, said rod member disposed in said passage and longitudinally slidable therein, and means cooperable with said spherical ball to provide a ball and socket connection.
 4. A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port, a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber, a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm, a driving means for driving said wabble head, in a wabble motion, a rod member, a first connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said wabble head, a second connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said housing member and in spaced relation with the connection of said rod member and said wabble head, one of said connecting means including a ball and socket connection, the ball portion thereof having a diametrical passage therethrough, and said rod member is disposed in said passage and is longitudinally slidable therein whereby said rod member accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm.
 5. The structure of claim 3 wherein said one of said connecting means connects said rod member to said wabble head, and said other of said connecting means connects said rod member to said housing member.
 6. A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port, a diaphragm means extending across said pump chamber, a piston means in operative engagement with said diaphragm means, a non-linear shaft rotatable about an axis and operably connected to said piston means for operating said piston means in a motion to progressively compress and relieve said diaphragm means to effect a pumping action between said inlet and outlet ports, a rigid connecting member, a first connecting means connecting said rigid connecting member to said piston means, a second connecting means connecting said rigid connecting member to said housing member and in spaced relation with the connection between said rigid connecting member and said piston means, at least one of said first and second connecting means providing a pivotal connection between said rigid connecting member and the member to which it is connected, at least one of said first and second connecting means including means rendering said rigid connecting member movable with respect thereto, generally along a line through the connections of said piston means and of said housing member to said rigid connecting member, one of said connecting means including a pivotal connection rendering said rigid connecting member swingable thereabout generally toward and away from said axis and precluding transverse swinging movement thereof, and the other of said connecting means including a ball and socket pivotal connection, whereby said rod accommodates the pumping action of said piston means and inhibits said piston means against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm means.
 7. The structure of claim 6 wherein said ball and socket connection includes a generally spherical ball, said ball having a generally diametrical passage therethrough, said rigid connecting member comprises a rod member and said rod member is disposed in said passage and is slidable therein generally along a line through said two pivotal connections.
 8. A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port, a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber, a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm, a non-linear shaft operatively connected with said wabble head for driving said wabble head in a wabble motion, said diaphragm having an upstanding flange medially thereof extending substantially throughout the length thereof, a relatively rigid, generally annular, insert member imbedded in said diaphragm, said insert member having a base portion disposed in the diaphragm itself and an upstanding portion thereof extending into said upstanding flange, said wabble head having an open bottom slot medially thereof corresponding coextensive with said flange and having said flange disposed therein, means extending through said wabble head engaging and securing said flange therein, a rod member, a first connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said wabble head, a second connecting means pivotally connecting said rod member to said housing member and in spaced relation with the connection of said rod member and said wabble head, and at least one of said first and second connecting means including means rendering said rod member movable with respect to said one of said connecting means, generally along a line through the connection between said rod member and said wabble head and the connection between said rod member and said housing member, whereby said rod member accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm.
 9. A peristaltic diaphragm pump structure having in combination a housing member comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet port, a diaphragm extending across said pump chamber, a piston comprising a wabble head in operative engagement with said diaphragm, a non-linear shaft operatively connected with said wabble head for driving said wabble head in a wabble motion, said diaphragm having an upstanding flange medially thereof extending substantially throughout the length thereof, a relatively rigid, generally annular, insert member inbedded in said diaphragm, said insert member having a base portion disposed in the diaphragm itself and an upstanding portion thereof extending into said upstanding portion thereof extending into said upstanding flange, said wabble head having an open bottom slot medially thereof corresponding coextensive with said flange and having said flange disposed therein, means extending through said wabble head engaging and securing said flange therein, a passage extending vertically through a rim portion of said wabble head, a rod having its upper end portion disposed in said passage, means pivotly securing said rod in said passage for swinging movement of said rod toward and away from said shaft of said wabble head, and a spherical ball carried on said housing member, said ball having a diametrical passage therethrough and said rod having its lower end portion disposed through said passage of said ball, whereby said rod accommodates the tilting action of said wabble head and inhibits said wabble head against circumferential movement relative to said diaphragm. 